Everyone has one whether they write it down on scraps of paper, enter it into a calendar on their computers or cell phones, or have another method of keeping track of their days – the dreaded To Do List…
But when you break down that list, do you separate it into Should Dos and Must Dos? Do you make a distinction between those two? Maybe we all need to take a good look at on that which we choose to spend our time. For the sake of argument, let’s imagine for today at least that a Should Do is something that would make life easier if it got done and a Must Do is something that would make life much harder if it did NOT get done.
Every once in a while, we experience a significant event that changes our perspective on life and alters our priorities. Suddenly, making sure the furniture is dusted twice a week isn’t so important if it means missing that Little League game or music recital. There are no hard and fast rules governing what is a Should Do and what is a Must Do and items on each of those lists migrate on occasion from one category to the other. Below is my list of Must Dos for the foreseeable future:
1. Spend time with my family - Time is precious and is the only “currency” that is renewed every day but cannot be bottled, packaged, stored or otherwise saved for the future. And in the end, the only ones we can usually count on are family to be there in good times and bad. Recent events have brought that fact into focus very clearly as well as the knowledge that they cannot be there forever. There are bumper stickers and posters I’ve seen that claim “No one ever said on his deathbed, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office!’” Sarcastic, yes – but also very true.
2. Take Time for Myself – Now, there are definitely times when that can have a selfish connotation – like when it was used on “Wife Swap” once by a spoiled diva who demanded several hours of “ME” time at the expense of her spouse and children, but what is also true is unless I am centered and focused, I can’t be of help to anyone else. When I get rattled and stressed, I admit it, I take it out on those closest to me and unfortunately, that can be at very inappropriate moments. If I have taken the time to compose myself and my thoughts, I deal much better with everyday stress as well as those stressful situations that demand extra attention.
3. Pay it Forward - My family has been lucky enough recently to have been the recipients of a “Pay it Forward” gesture with the caveat that we do likewise when we’re able. I like to make a practice of doing so and in fact have practiced paying it forward previously so maybe the kind gesture on the part of near-strangers is actually a Pay Back for something done previously. The bottom line is – don’t break the chain! I still get a weird thrill out of performing a random act of kindness to the point that I sometimes feel guilty for feeling so good about it.
Honestly, those Should Dos tend to pile up and when things like “laundry,” “grocery shopping,” or “oil change for the car” become Must Dos, I try to take care of them quickly so I can get back to my REAL Must Dos. I’d like to know if you have any Must Dos that you’re willing to share – if so, please make your comments here. I look forward to hearing about them from you.
